The Société Choletaise de Fabrication (SCF) invites you to experience something unique at its SCF Braiding Workshop showroom in Paris, 3 rue Saint-Gilles, 75003. We are able to create any custom laces.
Want to find out more about the Braiding Workshop and SCF (Société Choletaise de Fabrication)? Click here to learn more.
Come and create your own custom laces in Paris, from thread to finish. Here, we don’t just resell — we manufacture, design, customise, and bring laces to life. This accessory will personalise your shoes and make all the difference.
SCF’s workshop also offers ready-made laces, available off the shelf
Here are some insights into the origins of this expertise (our parent company, SCF) and what we do in Paris.
We have been weaving the story of French craftsmanship since 1969
For over 50 years, SCF has been manufacturing cords, laces, ribbons, braids, straps, custom laces and many other products with passion. In its workshops in Beaupréau-en-Mauges (49), the machines beat to the rhythm of a rare expertise, passed down from generation to generation. Every pair of laces is born in the hands of professionals who have mastered their craft to perfection.
SCF holds the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label awarded by the French state, as well as the France Terre Textile label, in recognition of its expertise as a weaver, braider, knitter, glazer and tipper. […link-article-EPV…]
At SCF Braiding Workshop in Paris, 3 wooden braiding machines allow anyone to come and make their own custom cord during a workshop! To register for a custom braiding workshop, follow this link.
If you don’t have time, no problem. For ready-made laces, our beautiful Parisian space stocks a wide range of cords to which, depending on your desired length, we add the tips.
The secrets behind making custom laces in Paris
A lace is, above all, a cord finished with tips and sold in pairs. This small everyday accessory actually requires genuine technical expertise. There are three main cord manufacturing techniques:
- Braiding, used for over 80% of laces. It produces a flexible, strong cord that holds its shape beautifully over time.
- Weaving, which produces flat cords, often used for ribbons or decorative laces.
- Knitting, rarer, used for specific textures or creative projects.
Each technique demands precision and rigour, and it is in SCF’s workshop that these skills come to life. Here, we still manufacture the old-fashioned way, but to today’s standards.
As mentioned above, SCF holds the state-awarded Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label. Its clients include fashion houses and technical industries.
Our custom laces materials: the right thread for every use
At SCF, every material is carefully selected according to its use, durability and aesthetic appeal. Here are the main fibres used:
- Cotton: natural, soft and pleasant to handle, often used for waxed laces or classic styles.
- Recycled polyester: strong, modern, perfect for trainers or eco-conscious projects.
- Linen: with its raw and refined look, it appeals to lovers of artisanal elegance.
- Lurex: ideal for shiny, festive or decorative laces, particularly in fashion and accessories.
- Polyamide and other technical fibres: often used for hiking or sports shoe laces.
Each material has its own characteristics and corresponds to a specific use.
We make your custom laces in Paris
How are these custom laces made in Paris?
- At the showroom, choose your bobbin according to the material. In our workshop, we stock cords in cotton, linen, lurex, recycled polyester, wool and more.
- Then, select your colours and define the shape of the cord (flat, round, waxed, glazed).
- Finally, choose the length, and even the tips — available in gold, silver, copper, bronze or black metal.
And we make it all right there on the spot!
A lace is more than just a link between your foot and your shoe. It is also a visual code, a style marker, a nod to your personality. And depending on its shape, material or finish, it can completely transform a look.
At our showroom, we guide and advise you in choosing the lace that best suits your expectations.
At SCF Braiding Workshop, you can personalise your laces down to the finest detail: colour, length, texture, tip… But before you get started, it’s worth knowing the four main families of laces.
Flat laces: for a relaxed style
These are the most common. You’ll find them on your everyday trainers or stylish sneakers. Flat laces offer good support and a great surface to play with colours or patterns. Their urban look works just as well with a streetwear outfit as with a more casual style.
These laces are often plain and made of cotton. However, the workshop offers a wide range of original cords for more distinctive laces.
Worth noting: a flat lace is less strong than a round lace. However, a knot tied with a flat lace holds better than one tied with a round lace.
Round laces: the outdoor and sportswear spirit
Thinner or thicker depending on the model, round laces add a dynamic touch to your footwear.
You’ll often see them on sports shoes, ankle boots or hiking shoes. Their cylindrical shape gives them a robust, sporty look, perfect for those looking to combine comfort and character.
Worth noting: round laces are generally stronger than flat laces. However, the knot — especially on polyester laces — may tend to slip.
Modern laces for custome shoes and trainers
In the world of contemporary footwear, laces play a role that goes far beyond utility: they have become a true style detail. On modern shoes and trainers, flat laces are very commonly used, chosen for their comfort and support.
These laces, generally plain but colourful, allow you to play on contrasts or, on the contrary, keep things understated. The most common materials are cotton, appreciated for its natural feel and softness, and polyester, valued for its strength, vivid colours and durability.
Whether plain in black or white, or bolder in bright tones, these flat laces have become an iconic signature of modern sneakers and city shoes. They allow everyone to personalise their footwear easily, adding a touch of character to every pair.
Glazed or waxed laces
Glazed laces braided on wooden looms are identical to laces as they were made in 1900.
These play in a league of their own. Their shiny, smooth finish elevates dress shoes, particularly leather styles such as Richelieu or Derby shoes. They are stronger thanks to a slow braiding process that preserves the cotton fibre, while the glazing effectively protects them from wear caused by friction. For a perfect hold, simply tie a firm knot.
This glazed lace is made using the same method as in the early 20th century — a rare expertise, carefully preserved by SCF. It is this authentic, robust and refined style that the great classic luxury shoemakers still choose today, committed as they are to quality and timeless elegance.
Custom laces in Paris that are truly you Offer or wear an accessory that reflects who you are
With these personalised laces, you are offering more than just an accessory — you are telling a story. Whether it’s to style your sneakers, create an original gift or treat yourself, you are choosing quality, style and local commitment.
SCF manufactures everything in Cholet, using carefully selected materials.
Step through the showroom doors and immerse yourself in the world of textile manufacturing. Here, nothing is left to chance. We welcome you with passion, guide you with expertise, and above all, give you the tools to create a product that is truly yours.
From the choice of materials to the perfect finish, through colours, lengths and textures, everything is in your hands. The SCF Braiding Workshop and showroom are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am to 7pm, for a total immersion in the world of thread, weaving and style.
And if you want to extend the experience, discover behind the scenes, our latest creations or simply get inspired:
Follow us on Instagram @atelierdetressage — we share our daily life, our creations and, above all, your ideas brought to life.
The harmony between shoe and custom laces — tradition, style and boldness in custom laces in Paris
The harmony between a shoe and its lace is not merely a sartorial detail: it is a true visual language, a subtle code that reflects the attention paid to elegance, taste, and even the personality of the wearer. If shoes are the foundation of style, then laces are the finishing touch — sometimes discreet, sometimes expressive, but never insignificant.
1. The classic match: tone on tone
Colour matching between shoe and lace is the basic rule in traditional styles. For dress shoes (Derby, Richelieu, loafer), a lace in the same colour as the leather is generally preferred:
- Black shoes → black laces
- Dark brown shoes → dark brown or chocolate laces
- Burgundy shoes → burgundy or dark red laces
This choice guarantees understated elegance, visual continuity and respect for formal dress codes. It also draws the least attention to the laces, allowing the line of the shoe itself to speak.
2. The subtle contrast match
When stepping outside a strictly formal context, a touch of contrast can enhance the look. The idea is to introduce a slightly different colour that remains within the same colour family or coordinates with other elements of the outfit (belt, watch, tie):
- Light brown shoes with beige or sand laces
- Navy blue shoes with steel grey laces
- Burgundy shoes with brown or black laces
This type of combination adds depth without compromising elegance. It is appreciated in creative environments, casual chic settings, or less strict professional contexts.
3. The bold contrast match: expressing personal style
In casual contexts, trainers, boots or certain leather shoes can carry deliberately contrasting laces, almost as a standalone accessory:
- White shoes with red, green or yellow laces
- Black shoes with fluorescent or pastel laces
- Colourful shoes with neutral laces (white, black, grey) to balance the look
This choice makes a strong stylistic statement. It draws the eye and can become a visual signature. The contrast can also respond to a seasonal mood, an occasion (parties, evenings, urban fashion).
4. Material and texture harmony
Harmony doesn’t stop at colour. The type of lace also plays a role: flat or round, waxed or matte, cotton or leather, thick or thin… A round waxed leather lace will give a more formal look, while a flat cotton lace will accentuate a sporty or utilitarian feel.
- For smooth leather shoes, opt for an elegant, round and fine lace.
- For suede or nubuck shoes, a cotton or suede leather lace will be more coherent.
- For trainers, play with flat or fancy laces to make a style statement.
